Involving colour into your wardrobe might be the hardest, and the overwhelming thing about colour. For me, it is very tempting to not wear an all-black fit. But the truth is adding colour is quite easy. The trick is to know which colours to use. Based on your skin tone and undertone certain colours will flatter you more, and help you stand out in the crowd.
Like make-up and hair dying, the key is to find the most flattering colours for your skin tone, undertone, and tones in between starts with three categories: warm, cool, and neutral. But do not worry! With this article, I will help you find the Right colours for your skin tone.
While there are multiple ways to determine which colour will suit you best, the best place to start is with your undertone and overtone, by knowing this information you will be able to cut out half of the colours and hues, making you save time and effort.
The Test
There are three methods that you can use to determine your undertone:
The Vein Test
One of the easiest tests to do on yourself. All you need to do is look down at your veins on your wrist, or under your eye, and see If they look more purple/blue = cool, or green= warm.
Natural Hair Tone
This one can be tricky for those who dye their hair, if you fall under this category then I suggest you look at your roots or brows. To do this test look at your hair and ask your self “Does my hair have any golden tones? Or would I describe it as ashy?” if your hair has warmth, your undertones are most likely warm. If they are ashy, then they are cool.
For all my redheads out there, you might think that if you have red hair then your undertones are warm – WRONG. If you are a strawberry blond-haired person or a bright orange, then your undertones are warm, but if your hair is more auburn then you are cool toned.
Gold or Silver
If you have gold or silver jewelry then the next test is for you, hold up the jewelry to your face. Which one makes your face look brighter, or healthier? If the answer is gold, then you are warm, otherwise, you are silver.
Colours for Warm Skin Tones
If you have a warm undertone (think of Jessica Alba, Eva Mendes, and Kerry Washington. The best colours for you are colours that are earthy and warm. This would be red, peach, coral, gold, and yellow. you can also look at the “warmer” versions of cool colours, like olive, violet, just to name two. If you want to stick to the neutrals, then cream, cappuccino, and mushroom gray are your best friends. Avoid cool colours, for this colour, will wash you at and make you look gray.
Colours for Cool Skin Tones
If you have cool skin (Lucy Liu, Lupita Nyong’o, and Adele) your favourable colours will be those that fall at the end of the colour spectrum. Bright blues, rich greens, and deep purple. If you want to dabble in the warm colours, ruby, bright red and pale yellows will look good. With the neutrals, a cool gray, bright white and blue navy will be best. Avoid orange, strong yellows and tomato reds, for these, will clash with your skin tone.
Colours for Neutral Skin Tones
You are truly blessed if you have a neutral skin tone, which allows you to wear both warm and cool hues (think Drew Barrymore, Natalie Portman, and Victoria Beckham). You can wear anything and look good, but it is typically best to go for soft or muted versions of colour, instead of the brighter ones. Colours like jade green, cornsilk yellow, instead of a solid white, try an off-white, stay in the mid- range grays, and black.
Universal Colours
I hope I did not put your favourite colour on the “no list,” but there is still a handful of colours that would look great on any skin tone because they have the perfect balance of warm and cool. Pure whites go with anyone’s skin tone, light blush pink can brighten any skin tone and bring out the natural glow, and of course black; this colour can make you look slimmer, and it can go with almost any occasion.
I hope this helped your fashion choices, so the next time you go shopping ask yourself, “Will this brighten me, or wash me out?” hopefully, you remember the tests.
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